Getting ready for my wig consultation!

Jells2dot0 · June 2014

I'm a little on the fence about getting a wig now. On one hand, I know I won't be back at work or out in public much before my treatment ends, so do I really need one? On the other hand, I will be interviewing for a new job shortly after I return to work and I'm not sure how quickly my hair will grow back. I also want to stand out at my interview because of my expertise and not because I am a cancer patient. My hair is all cut and ready to go, but will it really be worth it? I am hoping the consultation will sway me one way or the other!!!

BlackLace2015 · June 2014

good luck!

MollyandD · June 2014

Good luck!

I've heard different things from girls I knew who wore wigs. The main thing I was told was that they could be hot and uncomfortable at first, but made the girl feel more confident. The discomfort also didn't last long. It was comparable to learning to wear a bra. It rubs and may itch at first, but then you forget it's there.

JCbride2015 · June 2014

Good luck! I hope you get a strong feeling one way or the other about what is right for you.

CMGragain · June 2014

I had my best luck at Paula Young wigs. I have a large head size, and most wigs didn't fit me. Short ones are more believable than long ones. I got one in blond, one in brown, and one in red! My DH sort of enjoyed it. Do get a comfortable cotton chemo cap scarf for around the house. DH was sad when I went au natural bald. I also used square scarves and tied them pirate style.
There is no good reason to spend a lot of money on a wig.

http://www.paulayoung.com/category/wigs.do?gclid=CjkKEQjwia-dBRC07eeatYGe-78BEiQArZhbgC01jWnY1pR4LXNClv5fv0eRcxBzGoVPQpOmnZnWCBXw_wcB

Jells2dot0 · June 2014

CMGragain said:

I had my best luck at Paula Young wigs. I have a large head size, and most wigs didn't fit me. Short ones are more believable than long ones. I got one in blond, one in brown, and one in red! My DH sort of enjoyed it. Do get a comfortable cotton chemo cap scarf for around the house. DH was sad when I went au natural bald. I also used square scarves and tied them pirate style.
There is no good reason to spend a lot of money on a wig.

http://www.paulayoung.com/category/wigs.do?gclid=CjkKEQjwia-dBRC07eeatYGe-78BEiQArZhbgC01jWnY1pR4LXNClv5fv0eRcxBzGoVPQpOmnZnWCBXw_wcB

I already picked up some square scarves for when I head out to the hospital or to the lab to get my blood drawn. I am planning on using my own hair for my wig because I had a lot of it and most of the pre-made wigs I saw online look nothing like my hair or how I wore it on a daily basis. It's super important to me to look like the "old me" as much as possible. Even the hair cut I have now freaks me out (my hair hasn't fallen out yet.)

Plus, my insurance company will reimburse up to $500, so that certainly makes things a bit more pallatable!!!

slothiegal · June 2014

Good luck! Let your strentgh shine through and you'll be beautiful no matter what

CMGragain · June 2014

Are you getting a port? That thing was my best friend! I have difficult veins. Even a simple blood draw can be hard to do on me. Red Cross said I should go home because they didn't need my blood that bad. (This was before cancer!)
I used to wear my Hermes silk scarves (36") folded diagonally, and crossed behind my head, and then crossed again over the tail of the scarf and tied. Once, a little girl in the grocery store asked me if I was a pirate. (Her Mom was mortified!) I said, "No, I got very sick, and my doctor gave me some medicine that was so strong, it knocked the hair right off my head!"
You do know that you won't need a Brazillian, either? Oh, my! I spent good money on a Lancome powdered eyebrow pencil, too.
You have to have a sense of humor about this, or it will get to you. When people asked me "How are you?", I would say "Hanging in there!"

Jells2dot0 · June 2014

I have a power port. I'm thin, so it sticks out of my chest quite far and is really unattractive, but it's really worth it. I went through 9 IVs in the 8 days I was in the hospital when I was first diagnosed.

My body hair has already stopped growing. Is it bad that I'm totally psyched about not having to shave? LOL

CMGragain · June 2014

My body hair never really grew back. I don't need to shave my legs any more. The bush isn't as thick, either. Damn it, those pesky chin hairs were the first ones to grow back!

When they remove your port, there will be a small depression, but most people won't notice it.

PrettyGirlLost · June 2014

Best wishes to you and I wish you health and a speedy recovery.

sarawifenow · June 2014

Sending warm thoughts your way!

SBmini · June 2014

Do what ever you think is best! Rock the short hair or get a wig, which ever makes you feel more like you. Keep kicking cancer's ass!

erollis · June 2014

Whatever you choose will be the right choice for you. And whatever you wear/not wear you will rock.

kmmssg · June 2014

I agree to do whatever you think is best but I kind of think that if you go ahead and have it made you can choose to wear it if you want or just go with a scarf or whatever. I like having lots of options open to me and having it made gives you more options if you feel differently down the road.

Jells2dot0 · June 2014

So, I am diving in and getting one made!

During the consultation, I just got very positive vibes that it is going to be the right decision. The wig maker will have to add in some additional human hair, but for the most part, it will be all mine!!!! While my current short J. Law do is cute, I really cannot stand looking at myself in the mirror. It just doesn't look like me. The wig will make me feel a bit more "whole" again.

pumpkinsandturkeys · June 2014

So glad it went well for you, Jells! Xoxo

mellowmarshmallow · June 2014

Jells2dot0 said:

So, I am diving in and getting one made!

During the consultation, I just got very positive vibes that it is going to be the right decision. The wig maker will have to add in some additional human hair, but for the most part, it will be all mine!!!! While my current short J. Law do is cute, I really cannot stand looking at myself in the mirror. It just doesn't look like me. The wig will make me feel a bit more "whole" again.

My stepmom is a 6 year cancer survivor. Her best advice was whatever wig you choose, consider also getting one that is just fun and sassy. Hers was a bright pink bob. It didn't cost much and I think it was just from a costume shop, but wearing it was a way to pick up her spirits on the hard days. She also got a tattoo to cover her port scar and to celebrate 5 years cancer-free. I wish you all the joy and love that she has found in being a survivor!

jenna8984 · June 2014

Yay post a pic once it's made, even if it's just on a mannequin. Good luck, hope you love it. And definitely cool about not shaving anymore lol

erollis · June 2014

Hooray! Thats good news.

ShesSoCold · June 2014

Do you mind me asking where you're going for this? Just a local wig-maker? My mom has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and I offered her my hair. She loves the idea, but I don't really know where to start.

Jells2dot0 · June 2014

@ShesSoCold‌ - I am using Compassionate Creations. It's a smaller company in Newport Beach, CA owned by two younger women. The one is a wig maker and the other is a hair stylist, who helps with look, color, style, etc. I'm in Arizona, but they do everything over Skype. I am using my hair supplemented by some hair they have in stock, but you can donate your hair along with any family/friends who want to include a donation as well. The supplemented hair they use is anywhere from $100-$200/oz (the lighter the hair, the more expensive) and they require that you have about 8-9 oz of hair at least 10 inches in length.

Getting ready for my wig consultation!

Re: Getting ready for my wig consultation!

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